Obituaries

Bay City, Michigan

     Edward passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at his residence, age 80.  He was born January 19, 1931 in Bay City to the late Clyde and Ida (Elliot) Beaver.  Edward was a Korean Conflict veteran and served his country with the US Army.  He was a foreman with Goddeyne’s Manufacturing for many years and later a Licensed Residential Builder.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #18 and Eagles Aeries #1010.  Edward enjoyed flowers, birds, feeding the squirrels and all varieties of animals.

     Surviving is his loving companion of more than 30 years, Jeannette Goulet, her daughter, Debby (Jess) Stewart, two children, Scott (Cindy) Beaver and Dawn (Mike) Schultz, seven grandchildren: Steven Beaver, Tanika Beaver, Shannon (Chad) Champagne, Kelsey Schultz, Mike Schultz, Jess Stewart IV and Jenna (Ben) Howison, four great grandchildren, one brother, Lloyd (Terri) Beaver, several beloved nieces, nephews and a special friend, Barb DePotty.  Edward was predeceased by two brothers, Bill (Verna) Beaver, Hughey Beaver and one sister, Norma (Jack) Lambert.

     A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:00pm at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Pastor Joe Atchinson will officiate.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00pm.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to “Family Wishes.”

Bay City, Michigan

     Our loving husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 after a lengthy battle with cancer at his home, age 75.  Bill was born September 23, 1936 in Bay City to the late William and Laura (Pilon) LeClair.  He married Suzanne C. Napieralski in St. Hyacinth Church on August 13, 1960; she survives him.  He was a veteran and served his country with the US Army.  Bill retired from the Bay County Road Commission with over 30 years of dedicated service.  He was a member of St. Hyacinth Church, former usher, Senior Citizens, Polish Falcons Nest 972 and a lifelong member of St. George Society; where he helped organize and run their bingos for over 20 years.  Bill was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed all of the inner state teams.  He loved his grandchildren very much and often shared his stories and wisdom with them throughout the years.

     Surviving besides his wife of more than 51 beautiful years, Sue, is two daughters: Laura LeClair-Grocholski who predeceased her father in 1993, Suzette (Allen) Marquiss and Julie (Andrew) Gielda, four grandchildren: Eric, Spencer, Claudia and Clairissa, his favorite grand dogs, Georgie and Blizzard, two sisters, Florine Decker and Dorothy Przygocki, one brother in-law, Norbert (Nancy) Napieralski, several nieces, nephews and a special friend, Leona Lijewski.  Bill was predeceased by two brother in-laws, Bernard Przygocki and Robert Decker and a dear friend, Jim Lijewski.

     The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 10:00am at St. Hyacinth Church.  Fr. Edward J. Konieczka will celebrate Mass and inurnment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Monday from 1:00 to 8:00pm and at church on Tuesday after 9:00am.  Members of St. Hyacinth Church will pray the Rosary Monday at 2:00pm, followed later by a Parish Vigil Service for Bill at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to St. Hyacinth Improvement Fund or th U of M Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

     The LeClair family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Hurtubise, his staff and VNSM nurse Ann Marie for their kind and compassionate care they gave Bill and his entire family.   

Irene Henderson passed away Thursday December 8, 2011 in Lubbock Texas at the age of 89.  Daughter of the late Stanislaus & Antonina (Posadny) Wilinski she was born February 10, 1922 in Bay City.  She married Thomas J. Henderson January 17, 1948.  He predeceased her May 25, 2005.  Irene worked at Bay City Chevrolet for 8 years before raising her family.  She was a member of St. Hyacinth Church, loved to read and play cards.  Irene has lived in Texas for the past year and a half.

Surviving are four children; Paula (Rob) Hanson, Jerry (Jeanne) Henderson both of Bay City, Gloria (David) Valencia of Lubbock, TX., Bill (Sherry) Henderson of Taylor, MI., ten grandchildren; Scott (Carrie) Hanson, Sarah (Josh) Zimmerman, Ruth Hanson, Beth & Tim Henderson, Erica (Jim) McDonald, Brian & Paul Valencia, Brad and Samantha Henderson, two great-grandchildren; Robert & Russell Hanson.  Also surviving are two brothers in-law; Ira Henderson, James (Shirley) Henderson and several nieces and nephews.  Irene was the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters.

We would like to thank the doctors and staff of Garrison Geriatric Center, Wedgewood South Assisted Living, Vista Care Hospice and UMC of Lubbock, TX for their dedicated and compassionate care given to our mother.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Hyacinth Church.  Rev. Fr. Edward J. Koniczka will officiate with private burial in St. Patrick Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Friday from 2 – 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday after 9:00 a.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Garrison Geriatric or Vista Care Hospice.

www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com

Bay City, MI.

            Mrs. Gorney passed away Monday morning, December 12, 2011, at the Bay Regional Medical Center age 86.  She was born on June 10, 1925 in Bay City to the late Andrew and Martha (Skorski) Bartkowiak.  Romaine was married Edward E. Gorney who predeceased her on November 27, 1995.  She was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Rosary Group #10, Altar Society, League of Catholic Men and Women and Felician Sisters.

            Mrs. Gorney is survived by her children, Charlene (Keath) Putman, Susan Kazmierski, Sandra (Paul) Patteen and Michael (Anita) Gorney along with 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and sisters-in-laws Doris Bartkowiak, Margie (James) Neal and Barb Latocki. Predeceased by one son-in-law Ken Kazmierski.

            Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday December 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.  Rev. Fr. Rick Filary will officiate with burial in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home Wednesday from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday after 9:00 a.m.  Members of St. Stanislaus Rosary/Altar Sodality will pray the rosary at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials to family wishes.

James R. Leavitt passed away Wednesday December 7, 2011 at Brian’s House age 71 years.  He was born November 5, 1940 in Bay City.  Jim was a member of the Brick Layers Union and enjoyed horses.

 Surviving are three children; James (Tammy) Leavitt, Teri (Dwight) Haag, Cinde (Ward) Kehr, 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is his mother; Margaret (Dominowski) Leavitt, three brothers and a sister; Russell (Geri) Leavitt, Stanley (Marsha) Leavitt, Mary (Bob) Jablonski, Lyle Leavitt and a close friend; Ted.  He was predeceased by his father; Russell Leavitt and his brother Pat.

 Funeral Service will take place Monday December 12, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. from the Squires Funeral Home.  Nancy Rivet will officiate with burial in Mt. Forest Twp. Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Brian’ House.

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Lois Shirley Villaire (nee Eurich) of Essexville, died Wednesday December 7, 2011 at the Carriage House in Bay City. She was born January 2, 1922 in Bay City to Albert W. and Hulda (Englehardt) “Susy ” Eurich. She graduated from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI with a B.A. in Education.  She taught school in Bay City, Lansing and Essexville for thirty-four years, retiring in 1987.  She was a lifetime member of Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church (later Salem United Methodist) and following its closing she became a member of Fremont United Methodist Church in 1996.  She was a member of the UMW, the Essexville Women’s Club, and taught Sunday school for many years.

 She is survived by her children Laurie V. (David) McCourt of Chicago, IL and Kay (Daniel) Simon of Essexville, MI. and her daughter-in-law Nancy Villaire of Okemos, MI.  Also surviving are six beloved grandchildren; Andrew (Cathy) Villaire, Adam (friend, Michele Geving) Villaire, Megan (Mark) Hamm, Erica (Frank) Wilke, Whitney (Kirk) Ross, and Jaime Lyn Simon, as well as one great-granddaughter Elodie Villaire Wilke.  She also leaves her sister Jo Warner, her sister-in-law Lucille Eurich and her brother-in –law and sister-in -law Edward C. and Susann Villaire and many dear nieces and nephews, especially, Leslie Warner Rafaniello.  Among her many wonderful friends, survivors include Helen and William “Bill” Guild, Mina Natzmer and Bernadine “Bernie” Ricard.

 She was predeceased by her beloved husband Thomas Louis “Tom” Villaire, her dear son Thomas Jeffery “Jeff” Villaire,  her brother Albert F. Eurich and her brother-in-law Francis E. “Red” Warner.

 The family would like to thank the staff at the Carriage House for their love and care of Lois, especially Brian, Marla, Ken, Celeste, Barbara, Spencer, and Sam.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Fremont United Methodist Church, the Bay City Salvation Army or the charity of one’s choice.

 The Reverend Susan Poynter will officiate at a memorial service to be held at Fremont United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:00am.  Friends and family will gather at church from 10:00 to 11:00am.

www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com